Gidday all,

Had a good weekend, went back up to Loongana to visit, spent a couple of days catching up and lazing around. Went up the road and were guided into the Forest to where the treehouse is. There it stood, defiantly hanging onto the massive murtle that has held it up for decades. The years of neglect have taken their toll, but it proudly sits high in its forest home. The swinging bridge that leads to the front door dared me to try, but I didn’t. What a magical home it would have been in it’s day in the canopy of that ancient forest.

 

 

 

 

 

Gidday all,

After some thought and the toss of a coin we pointed west and stopped off at Bridport on the northwest coast. After lunch and a look around we headed south to Great Lake in the central highlands. Winds were high and temps were low, camped at Great Lake for the night and woke to about eight degrees so stayed in bed a little longer than usual. Off again and down to Arthurs Lake, found a camp site next to the lake and parked up. Met a couple of blokes who had been fishing and they gave us a nice brown trout. Cooked it up and had a great feed, Din had veg.

Spent a lovely few days by the lake, now back at Forth and will meet up with a friend from Hobart who is coming up for the weekend.

                                                              nice spot by the lake

                                                               the great bow hunter

                                                                  to big for the pan

                                                                 in the oven and cooking

 

 

 

 

Gidday all,

Back in the world of mobile coverage, just spent six days relaxing and doing, well not much of anything really. Last Saturday travelled from Ulverstone to Little Musselroe Bay, was getting late but decided to press on, night closed in and on the dirt road we came across about five wombats and countless wallabies, a bit slow with the camera but worth the late drive. Finally arrived, parked up and went to bed.

Woke up and found another three campers scattered around, later that morning they all packed up and left us all alone, so we picked the best spot and settled in. Spent the next five days walking the beach, reading, watching swans on the water, sleeping, so much to do so little time. Decided we really should get going, so packed up today and headed, well we don’t really know where yet.

                                  painted rock at Derby on the way to Little Mussleroe Bay

                                                                     swans on the bay

                                                                  dinners cooking

                                                                               nice spot by the bay

Gidday all,

On the move again, were recommend a nice spot by a lake, so we went to check it out. It was a great spot and we had it all to ourselves so stayed a couple of days. Cradle mountain just up the road so we decided to blow the budget and go for a helicopter ride around the mountain. What a spectacular sight, winter would be beautiful, a bit too cold though.

Temperature is just right at the moment. Might hang around this area for a few more days then maybe up to Little Musselroe Bay for a while.

                                                    Din saying goodbye to Sammy the seal

                                               Sammy waving bye wishing us a good trip

                                             this little  fella wandering around the paddock

                                                       Cradle mountain in the distance

                                                            great views from up here

                                                                     back on the ground

 

 

Gidday all,

Stopped at Forth and called in to see our mate Rod on the Forth River. Decided to help with a building project he’s doing at his caravan. Lunchtime and noticed a seal was sunning itself on the river bank. Very unusual for one to be so far up the river, some locals called in and said it was the first time they had seen one up here, so lucky to see it.

Great spot to spend a couple of days.  

                                       little blue wren checking out the stranger in the mirror

                                                    our visitor resting on the river bank

                                                                 soaking up the sun

                                                                nice spot at the Forth River

 

 

Gidday all,

Left Melbourne on new years eve, was a bit bumpy in the middle but not bad all up, Din only spewed once.

Now up in Loongana catching up with friends. Din recovering well. 11 degrees this morning, loving it. Melbourne expecting 38 degrees today, got out just in time. Now have to decide where to go first, bloody decisions.

 

 

                                                  waiting to board the big red bus

                                                                 goodbye Melbourne

Finally in Tassie

Gidday all,

Still hanging around southeast of Melbourne, were taken for a Sunday drive around the coast   by our friends and had a good look around. Only a couple of days left before we sail off, will tidy and clean the camper and eat through the remaining fruit and veg in preparation.

The weather has been kind, hope it stays calm for the crossing.

                                                  couple of cockies cleaning out the nest

                                          looking back towards Melbourne from Woolamai

                                                 looking at French Island from Corinella

                                                                  view from Settlement Point

 

 

 

 

Gidday all,

Lingered on the banks of the Murray River watching the water skiers going up and down and relaxing. Also fixed the parking brake on the truck. Headed off to Bendigo and then south towards Melbourne. Contacted some friends southeast of Melbourne and they invited us to a Christmas eve BBQ, so set the GPS for Cape Paterson. Thought we were going on the freeways around Melbourne but it changed it’s mind at the last minute and sent us straight through the city. A lot of traffic and a couple of hours later we found our way to the destination. 

So staying for a couple of days and then have a look around the coast till it’s time to board the ship for Tassie. Been a bit slack with photos so will put some on next time. Merry and safe Christmas to all.

Gidday all,

Sitting on the banks of the mighty Murray River at Echuca, on the Victoria side. Spent the last couple of days on a creek bank south of Hay. May stay a couple of days, or may not, don’t know yet.

Temps in the 20s, good to feel cool again.

                                             on the Cobb highway to the Vic boarder

                                                        driving on the Hay plains

                                                              the headless horseman

                                                   strange creatures of the black swamp

                                                                 natural sculptures at billabong creek

Gidday all,

Finally getting cooler, turned westward at Parks and spent the night at a lake near Condoblin on Friday. Saturday morning the powerboats started to arrive and it got crowded so we left and found a nice spot at Booberoi Weir 60k down the road, on the Lachlan river, spent the weekend there not a soul in sight.

Will head south from here to Hay and Denilliquin.

                                              relaxing at the weir for a couple of days

                                 just off the road a marker for the grave of the king of Clare tribe

                                                        old pump shed at the weir

                                                     the boiler used to power machines

                                                                       the weir itself

 

Gidday all,

On the road again, decided to leave the heat of North Queensland behind and we are heading back to Tasmania.

Left on the 4^th of December and headed south. Called into some friends in Carmilla and Hervey Bay then met up with my sister Janice and Mark at Wongi state forest for a day. We parted ways, they headed northish and we went west. Went to Biggenden, then Mundubbera, south to Dalby and over to St. George, then south to Hebel and crossed over into NSW. Mind you that took us 3 days.

Now sitting just north of Coonamble. The weather is still hot, went through a couple of massive dust storms, big winds out on the plains.

Have got a few weeks before we sail off so will meander through NSW and Victoria, hope it gets cooler soon.

                                                        At Wongi water holes

                                                                         More of Wongi

                                                     Lunch at the start of the dingo fence

                                                  Stanley the emu outside Lightning Ridge

                                                        Stanley made from VWs

                                                          Hay  man near Walget